9:29am Friday 25th September 2009
By Chris Yandell
National Park chiefs have vowed to fight the latest proposals to build a huge container terminal on the edge of the New Forest.
They warned that the changes to Britain’s planning system could result in the scheme being approved by stealth – with the public having little or no say.
Major developments deemed to be of national significance will be determined by a new body called the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC).
The government is due to make a major policy statement on the future of Britain’s ports by the end of the year.
If the document calls for major expansion in central southern England, the IPC could be left with little choice but to approve any new application submitted by Associated British Ports (ABP), which owns Southampton docks.
The continuing threat to Dibden Bay was raised at yesterday’s meeting of the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA).
Members said they regarded the site as being part of the New Forest and agreed that the Government should be told to include it in the national park.
Barrie Foley, the NPA’s interim chief executive, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to stand up and be counted.”
NPA member Alan Weeks commented: “My concern is that Dibden Bay will be approved by stealth rather than going through the planning process we had in the past, under which ABP failed to get permission to develop the site.
“We could end up with a ‘Greater Southampton’ on the boundary of the existing national park. That can not be allowed to happen.”
David Harrison added: “There are compelling and overwhelming reasons why Dibden Bay should never be developed as a port. It would be a disaster for the New Forest if the scheme went ahead.”
Former NPA chairman Ted Johnson said cranes in the existing docks on the other side of Southampton Water were visible from the Forest.
“To think that the impact could grow is horrendous,” he said.
Members were discussing ABP’s new masterplan, which outlines the case for a new terminal on reclaimed coastline between Hythe and Marchwood.
ABP is forecasting a massive surge in trade over the next 20 years – and says Dibden Bay is the only suitable site for expansion. Its port masterplan predicts that it will run out of room by 2021 so Dibden Bay would be needed by then.
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